Uncle Paul’s Grace

My Uncle Paul has passed away. My mom waited to tell us until she knew I had already flown to Portland because she didn’t want me to cancel. She knew I would have.

Family matters. There was a time when it didn’t as much, and it’s my greatest regret now.

Uncle Paul was my mom’s oldest brother and the first real writer and public speaker I knew.

Irish Catholics know how to do holidays, meals and grace, and Uncle Paul wrote and delivered an original grace for every meal at every holiday for about forty years.

How can that not affect you?

His oldest son, along with fellow cousins Tom and Greg were pretty much my first best friends.

I am sad for his family and mine today, but I am also thankful.

Life goes on. Until it doesn’t.

We move on. Until we don’t.

If your early influences are still alive, pick one and call her or him today. Don’t put it off.

Say ‘thank you.’ Tell her what you learned. Tell him why he mattered.

You are, in part, what you are because of that person, and you have the gift of time and life to tell that person.

Say it. Today, please.

Before it’s too late.

Amen.

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